Independent MP Cathy McGowan and former MP Tony Windsor during the launch of the report. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Fifty-nine per cent of Australians support extra funding for ABC regional news services, with just 9 per cent opposed, the polling from the progressive Australia Institute shows. Support rises to 64 per cent in remote areas.

A majority of voters also support extra funding for programs about regional Australia.

Mr Windsor is welcomed by the Speaker during Question Time on Wednesday. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

Support for the ABC was strong in deputy Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce's seat of New England, where 64 per cent of voters are in favour of targeted funding for regional news. This includes 52 per cent of Nationals voters.

Former Independent MP Tony Windsor, who is considering running against Mr Joyce at the next federal election, launched the report, Heartland: Why the bush needs its ABC, at Parliament House on Wednesday.

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"The worst thing that can happen is that all media comes out of Sydney," Mr Windsor said.

The Abbott government cut ABC funding by $254 million over five years last year.

The polling also shows voters strongly support extra ABC funding in the "bellwether" seat of Eden Monaro and Education Minister Christopher Pyne's seat of Sturt.

Sixty-five per cent of Sturt voters, including 57 per cent of Liberal voters, support expanded regional news services, a figure matched in Eden Monaro.

The online survey of 1413 people was conducted in March.

Mr Windsor said the financial difficulties facing commercial television stations in regional areas and regional newspapers made a well-funded ABC more important than ever.

Since 2010, WIN has closed its bureaus in Albany, Geraldton and Broome while Prime has shut its studios in Tamworth, Orange and Wagga Wagga.

Mr Windsor said he supports a campaign by regional broadcasters, fronted by former Nationals leader Tim Fischer, to abolish restrictions on media ownership, especially the 75 per cent "reach rule" that restricts the creation of national networks.

Australia Institute executive director Ben Oquist said: "The ABC has been a controversial topic of late but what is not controversial is the level of support for the ABC in the bush.

"While the political class has been cutting the ABC, this report shows an appetite for increased funding for the ABC, particularly if it is directed at regional news services."

While the polling showed strong overall support for the ABC, there were significant differences based on location and political preference.

Only 26 per cent of Liberal voters in Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull's inner-city seat of Wentworth support extra funding for ABC regional news, for example.